Belgium stun Senegal with late comeback, controversial penalty in World Cup thriller
Belgium erased a 2-0 deficit in Seattle and won on a 125th-minute penalty, leaving Senegal to absorb one of the World Cup’s wildest finishes.
Belgium overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in Seattle on July 1, finishing with a 125th-minute penalty from Youri Tielemans that capped a frantic comeback and sent Senegal out of the World Cup.
Senegal had carried the match for most of the night, with goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr putting Pape Thiaw’s side two goals ahead and within reach of the round of 16. Belgium finally broke through in the 86th minute when Romelu Lukaku scored, then tied the game three minutes later through Tielemans in the 89th minute.
After a VAR review, Tielemans converted from the penalty spot in the 125th minute. Senegal were left to absorb a controversial ending after holding the lead for most of the game.
The result was only the second time Belgium had recovered from a two-goal deficit to win a World Cup knockout match. The first came against Japan in the 2018 round of 16, when Belgium also won 3-2. This time, the reward was a place in the round of 16 and a possible meeting with the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pape Thiaw declined to dwell on the contentious decision afterward. Belgium found two goals in three minutes, forced extra time, and won on Tielemans’ 125th-minute penalty.
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